— The three members of the state Public Service Commission unanimously agreed to approve a new American Transmission Co. power line in Dane County. “Building for the future makes sense,” said PSC Chair Eric Callisto in discussing the commission’s decision to permit ATC to build the 345kv line. The approved route will run above ground along Madison’s Beltline, a route Callisto said he backed because it affects the least environmentally sensitive land, had fewer stream crossings than rural routes, and had the least impact on agricultural lands of the four proposed routes. Read more: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=161414 — Large companies and government agencies may be doing a good job of recycling their electronic equipment and computers, but a bill pending in the Legislature would help small firms and individuals get with the program. That’s the assessment of Cascade Asset Management. The 10-year-old company refurbishes, scrubs and dismantles electronics and computers for companies and public agencies around the country. With more than 80 percent of old electronics ending up in landfills – according to the federal EPA – the Madison company believes the time has come for passage of a bill proposed that would ban dumping and require manufacturers to meet recycling quotas. Come to http://www.wisbusiness.com soon to read a new interview with Cascade’s Neil Peters-Michaud. — With unemployment topping 9 percent this year, Wisconsin’s top business executives are predicting the state’s economy will continue to decline, with modest growth predicted in the national economy, according to a new survey conducted by WMC. Additionally, 48 percent said Wisconsin’s business climate is somewhat anti-business, and 34 percent said “very anti-business,” according to the survey of WMC’s board of directors. Three percent said Wisconsin is somewhat pro-business, and 14 percent said “neutral on business.” Seventy-nine percent said they will not be expanding in Wisconsin in the next two years. Fifty-two percent said they will be expanding elsewhere; and 48 percent said they will not be expanding in other states or countries. The WMC Economic Outlook Survey is comprised of answers from the WMC Board of Directors to a 25-question survey about economic conditions in Wisconsin. Thirty-two CEOs completed the survey, with 22 respondents operating businesses with more than 500 employees. See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=161499 TOP STORIES M&I Corp. plans to issue $400 million in stock : Marshall & Ilsley Corp. of Milwaukee, parent company of M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Thursday announced plans to offer $400 million of common stock for public sale. GM Janesville competition cut in half?: Gov. Phil Bredesen on Thursday expressed doubt about whether Tennessee can afford the financial demands from General Motors Corp. to select its Spring Hill plant to build a new small car. Proposed state budget amendments would affect utilities : A series of changes proposed Thursday by Assembly Democrats would alter how utility rates change when fuel prices swing and would prevent a $150 million state renewable energy grant program from being eliminated.
************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************
ECONOMY (back to top) – Summit advocates state economic support – Madison is best midsized place in ‘Next Cities’ ranking
LABOR (back to top) – Merrill School Board votes to recall teachers, staff from layoff notice
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top) – Wausau Cabinet builds niche through design
INVESTING (back to top)
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – First-time homebuyers have corner on tax credits – Expert optimistic about housing market – Stonewood plans $15 million makeover – Oak Creek business park planned
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Claims dismissed against Aurora Organic Dairy
TRANSPORTATION (back to top) – Chippewa Valley transit proposal put in state budget – Gov. Doyle checks on Marshfield’s Central Avenue construction progress – Delta/Northwest to cut capacity – Midwest resumes nonstop service to L.A., Kentucky
RETAIL (back to top) – Fertilized by Growing Power, veggie tales become the latest story at businesses
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top) – Medical College grant will address work force needs
MANAGEMENT (back to top) – UW-Madison names new provost – Hund returns to lead Harley-Davidson financing unit
PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
Quick links
WisBusiness sponsors Media partners National business round-ups |
(c)2009 WisBusiness.com.
All rights reserved. Reproduction or retransmission of this
publication, in whole or in part, without the express permission of
WisBusiness.com is prohibited. Unauthorized reproduction violates
United States copyright law (17 USC 101 et seq.), as does
retransmission by facsimile or any other electronic means, including
electronic mail.
